Holley seeks election to Circuit Clerk post

July 2, 2011

For Starkville Daily News

In announcing his candidacy for the office of Oktibbeha County Circuit Clerk Dave Holley said,
â€śMy name is Dave Holley, candidate for Circuit Clerk of Oktibbeha County, Mississippi. I am married to Joy Fulton Holley who works at Mississippi State University and we have a son, Will, age 11. Will is a student at Starkville Academy. Will represents Starkville and Oktibbeha County as he plays USSSA Baseball for the Starkville Thunder Baseball team. This team travels all over and I am very proud of the accomplishments they have achieved and how well they have represented their hometown.
â€śI have been a resident of Oktibbeha County for the past 25 years. I began my public service to this county at the Starkville Police Department as acting supervisor of the investigation division.
â€śDuring my tenure at the Starkville Police Department I was employed in patrol, purchasing and supply and the narcotics division. An opportunity presented itself through a federally funded narcotic task force serving counties from Neshoba to Clay and areas in between. I left the Starkville Police Department to be a part of this very important task force.
â€śEleven years ago I was given the opportunity to be the criminal investigator for the 16th Judicial Circuit Court District, which includes Oktibbeha County. I serve as your criminal investigator at this time.
â€śIn this capacity I work closely with the day to day operations of the Oktibbeha County Circuit Clerkâ€™s office. I use daily the record management system through Delta Computer System that is used not only in Oktibbeha County but other counties in this district.
â€śI am also familiar with the SEMS (Statewide Election Management System) used in the clerkâ€™s offices throughout Mississippi. The circuit clerkâ€™s office is a very important position in our county and needs to be run by someone with experience; hard working, energetic and with the ability to get the job done in a timely manner.
â€śMany do not know that the SEMS system is used to pull the jurors for upcoming terms in Circuit Court. I have the experience working with the courts on a day-to-day basis as well as with jurors. I know that once Justice Department pre-clearance is obtained this county will implement statewide and countywide redistricting and the new circuit clerk will be charged with this task.
â€śAnother important duty of the circuit clerk is to approve voter registration and work with the Oktibbeha County Election commission in maintaining updated voter rolls. This alone will ensure good jury pools for use in our courts. I will encourage voter registration and continue to challenge and educate the public about the importance of voting.
â€śDid you know that your circuit clerk has only five (5) days to make commitments once a defendant is sentenced in circuit court? My knowledge of the computer system and my experience in the courts will keep this paperwork from being delayed, costing the county money to house inmates that should be state prisoners but for the lack of timely commitment filing. I will also work closely with your circuit judges to try and collect some of the several million dollars that are due the county in fines and to victimâ€™s restitution.
â€śI will continue to make your circuit clerkâ€™s office accessible to all citizens. With my experience in the courts, I will make sure that if you are wronged and file a lawsuit, it will be handled properly and in a timely manner. A website will be designed to give you access to the court records that can be made public under the law, as well as a public index to marriage records.
â€śMany people have asked why I chose to run for circuit clerk and not some other office. I truly believe that this is one of the most important positions in county government and the person that holds this position can make a difference in the lives of the people they serve; simply because it is a public service office.
â€śSeveral years ago, out of respect for our current circuit clerk, Angie McGinnis, I told her of my desire to serve in this capacity if and when she decided to not see re-election. When Angie made her decision, she told me that she was not going to seek re-election, my family and I as well as many close friends began to discuss and pray about the possibility of my running and therefore I am formally announcing my candidacy.
â€śWith your help and support I can become your next circuit court clerk. On August 2, 2011, please cast your vote for Dave Holley. Together we will continue the tradition of excellence in the Oktibbeha County Circuit Clerkâ€™s Office,â€ť said Holley.

Political candidates wishing to schedule announcements for Page One should contact Angie Carnathan at sdnreporter@yahoo.com.